What does an accounts receivable officer do?

An accounts receivable officer is a member of an organisation’s finance team and ensures that products and services are billed promptly and correctly, and paid on time. This includes maintaining customer accounts and using accounting software to generate invoices, credit notes and reminders, and posting receipts for incoming payments in a timely manner.

Accounts receivable officers work in a wide variety of industries and settings, from large corporations through educational institutions and non-profits to accounting firms.

Accounts receivable skills and qualifications

To perform their role well, a successful accounts receivable officer needs to have the following skills and aptitudes:

• Excellent data entry skills
• Knowledge of accounting principles and accounts receivable processes
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to work independently
• Experience with using Microsoft Excel and accounting software such as MYOB, XERO or Quickbooks

Accounts receivable experience requirements

Although many budding finance professionals choose to pursue a formal qualification, this is not mandatory to work in an accounts receivable role. This means it can be an entry-level position if a hiring business is open to bringing staff with entry-level experience on board.

However, even an accounts receivable officer with no previous work experience should have some accounting skills and a good understanding of basic bookkeeping principles. An accounts receivable officer should also be experienced in using standard Microsoft Office programs, especially Excel.

Accounts receivable education and training requirements

Although no formal qualifications are required to work in an accounts receivable role in Australia, many employers still prefer to hire applicants who have gained at least some training in accountancy.

You may want to look for applicants who have completed a Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping or a Diploma of Accounting at TAFE or another registered training organisation. Other applicants may have no formal qualification but have already gained some experience in the role. Who you choose to hire is ultimately down to your company culture and preferences.

Accounts receivable salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for an accounts receivable officer is $64,336 per year. This rate is fairly consistent across all states and territories, with little geographical variation. However, as in many industries, there are some outliers, most notably some international staffing companies and the New South Wales Police Force, who offer significantly higher accounts receivable salaries than the national average.

Job description samples for similar positions

There are several roles that are similar to that of an accounts receivable officer. Browse the descriptions to see if you need to hire one of these specialists in addition to or instead of an accounts receivable officer:

• Accounts payable officer
• Accounting assistant
• Accounting clerk
• Assistant accountant

Accounts receivable job description FAQs

What’s the difference between accounts receivable and accounts payable?

In essence, accounts receivable and accounts payable are two sides of the same coin. Accounts receivable represents money owed to a business by customers and is therefore considered an asset, while accounts payable represents money that a company owes to its suppliers, making it a liability.

As an employer , it’s important that you strictly separate both functions to reduce the risk of irregularities, especially if your business gets audited. In practice, this means that an accounts payable clerk, who pays bills, for example, should not be able to enter invoices, which is an activity reserved for accounts receivable staff.

Do I need an accounts receivable officer if I have a bookkeeper?

Yes, because although they both perform accounting duties, they play different roles in your company. An accounts receivable officer is responsible for one particular segment of your accounting, just as an accounts payable officer takes care of another part. A bookkeeper, on the other hand, is a slightly more senior accounting professional with more comprehensive responsibility who oversees both accounts receivable and accounts payable, as well as preparing statements and reports, and ensuring that everything is in order.

What career progression might an accounts receivable officer expect?

Advancing from an accounts receivable role usually requires a few years of experience and a formal qualification. Once an accounts receivable officer has obtained a Bachelor’s degree or a diploma in finance or business, they can apply for a more senior or managerial position, become a bookkeeper and ultimately progress into an assistant accountant role.